European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

In 2018 the EU will celebrate the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH). The year will be marked by events and initiatives across Europe to encourage people to explore and debate Europe's rich and diverse cultural heritage; celebrate, understand and protect its unique value and reflect on the place that cultural heritage occupies in European citizens' lives. A consortium of UK cultural heritage organisations will be coordinating UK events to include more of a European dimension to familiar programmes such as Heritage Open Days, but also activities specially promoting the 2018 EYCH.

23/08/2017

Cultural heritage is present everywhere, from buildings in European towns and cities to natural landscapes and archaeological sites, literature, art and even food. It also helps people understand their past and get a sense of their future.

During the year, the European Commission will focus debate on how cultural heritage helps to build stronger societies, creates jobs and prosperity, whilst highlighting its importance for EU relations with the rest of the world and what can be done to protect it.

From December 2017, the Commission will publish a newsletter every two months. Subscribe here.

The Year's hashtag is #EuropeforCulture

One of the partners of the Year is Europa Nostra. Its prestigious EU prize for cultural heritage/Europa Nostra Awards has been awarded to UK institutions and individuals many times since its launch in 2002. Supported by the Creative Europe programme, the awards celebrate and promote best practices in heritage conservation, research, management, the work of volunteers, education and communication. In 2017 Cromford Mills in Derbyshire and SAMPHIRE – a maritime heritage project in Western Scotland won the award. Previous UK winners include: the conservation of Abbotsford, the historic country house and former residence of the historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, and the restoration of Strawberry Hill and King's Cross station.

Applications for the 2018 edition of the awards can be submitted until 1 October 2017 through the dedicated website.

Background

The idea for a European Year of Cultural Heritage was first raised by EU ministers in 2014 and two years later the initiative received strong backing from MEPs.